Heating apparatus



July 1, 1924.

A. E. JOHNSON HEATING APPARATUS Filed Oct 12, 1920 r 5 Sheets-Sheet 1July 1 1924.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A E JOHNSON HEATING APPARATUS Filed Oct.

July 1 1924.

A. E. JOHNSON HEATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 12, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet m Bv/ July 1 1924.

A. E. JOHNSON HEATING APPARATUS Fil'ed Oct. 12. 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 4July I. 1924.

A. E. JOHNSON HEATING APPARATUS 1920 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 12,

Patented July 1, 1924.

UNITED STATES Q PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT E. JOHNSON, OF BEVERLY, MASAGHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO UNITED SHOEMACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

HEATING APPARATUS.

Application filed October 12, 1920. Serial No. 416,501.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heating Apparatus;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to heating apparatus, and it has specialreference to such apparatus as is adapted to heat or condition coatedcanvas or similar reenforcing fabric employed in the manufacture ofreenforced insoles.

In the manufacture of Economy, Gem and like insoles, the reenforcingfabric employed is customarily coated on one side with a compositionwhich, at ordinary temperatures, is non-adhesive, but which is renderedadhesive upon being subjected to a predetermined degree of heat.

In heating apparatus heretofore employed for conditioning coated fabricof this general character, the coated fabric, either in the form of astrip or of died-out pieces, has been placed upon or moved slowly over asuitable heating device with its coated surface uppermost. In suchapparatus, whatever its particular type, the heating device is locateddirectly below the fabric and imparts heat to the coating through themedium of the fabric itself. Moreover, when the coated fabric is eitherdrawn in a strip or carried in pieces by a conveyer at a uniform rateover the heating device, the operator must keep pace with the movementof the fabric and is allowed no latitude in flexibility and speed ofassembly of the fabric with the usual insole blanks, or in the exerciseof skill or judgment in the assembling operation. i

The general object of the present invention is to improve theconstruction, efficiency and flexibility of operation of heating apparatus of the above indicated class and to produce results of auniformly superior,

character.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a heatingapparatus in which heat is applied directly to the upper coated surfaceof the fabric by means of a heating device located immediately above thefabric and which preferably moves progressively over the fabric at aslow rate, during which the coated surface is heated to the desiredtemperature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heating apparatus inwhich the material or coated fabric to be heated is conditionedprimarily by the direct application of considerable hea for a shortperiod to the coated surface thereof and, after being brought up to thedesired temready to perform the assembling operation,

and also while permitting the operator to control the apparatus inaccordance with his judgment and skill, as well as with respect toexisting operating conditions.

To these ends, the present invention embodies sevcral important featuresof construction, one of which contemplates a heating device disposedabove and in proximity to the material or coated fabric and which ismovable progressively over it throughout the length of the machine toimpart heat rapidly and directly to the upper surface thereof as itpasses along. Suitable mechanism, conveniently enibod ing a feed-screw,is employed to moveor feed the movable heating device, and a reversingclutch driving nechanism is preferably erpployed to arrest the feedmovement and to cause the feed-screw to return the heating device to itsinitial position.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a heatedsupport or table on which the material or coated fabric to be heated isplaced and which, to a limited extentand in conjunction with the heatingdevice disposed above and in prozzimit; to the support, serves to raisethe material or coated fabric to the desired temperature andsubsequently to maintain the materia or coated fabric in proper workingtemper or condition after the heating device has become ineffective.

A further feature of the invention embraces the use of electric heaterunits associated with the support or table and the movableheatingdevice, and automatic control devices for governing the supply of energythereto so that energy is supplied to the heater units during themovement or travel of the movable heating device in one direction, andis interrupted at the limit of travel and maintained interrupted duringthe reverse return movement of the movable heatingdevice, the support ortable preferably having sufficient heat storage capac ity to maintainthe fabric in proper working condition for a considerable period whilethe supply of electric energy is cut off.

These and other objects of the invention and the means by which they areattained will be clearly understood from the following description ofthe preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a portion of an apparatusconstructed in accordance with the invention, the upper supply table orshelf'being omitted; Fig. 2 is a plan'view of the apparatus shown inFig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in end elevation, looking at theright hand end of the apparatus; F ig. 4 is a detailed sectional viewtakenon the section line 44 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a similar view taken onthe sec tion line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an enlarged view, partiallyin end elevation and partially in section on the section line 66 of Fig.2; Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the reversing clutchdriving mechanism; Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the movable heatingdevice; Fig. 9 is a sectional View of the heating device on the sectionline 99 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the electricalcircuits of the apparatus.

While for purposes of illustration the invention is shown in thedrawings and hereinafter described as embodied in a heating apparatuswhich is particularly adapted for heating or conditioning died-outpieces of coated reenforcing fabric such as are utilized and assembledwith suitably shaped insole blanks to form what is known in the art asEconomy insoles, it should be understood that this invention is not sorestricted but is applicable to operating upon material of differentcharacteristics and forms.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus of the present inventioncomprises, in general, a main supporting frame upon which the variousparts and mechanisms are mounted; an electrically heated support ortable upon which the material rests while being heated or conditioned;an elevated supply table or shelf 22 for support-- ing a supply ofcoated died out pieces to be heated; a front support or assembling table24 upon which the conditioned pieces of coated fabric and the usualinsole blanks are assembled by the operator; a movable electricallyheated heating device 26 that is adapted to travel lengthwise of thesupporting table 20 to heat to the desired tempera-- ture the uppercoated surfaces of the diedout pieces disposed thereon; a feed mechanismincluding a feed-screw 28 for moving or advancing the movable heatingdevice 26 lengthwise of the apparatus; a reversing clutch drivingmechanism 30 for operating the feed-screw 28 and the movable heating #1device 26 in opposite directions; and an electrical system'comprising anelectrically operated circuit interrupter 32, a terminal board 34, aplurality of electric heating units 76, and a plurality of controlswitches 40 i and 42 by means of whichthe operation of the circuitinterrupter 32 is automatically governed.

The supporting frame of the apparatus comprises a plurality of endpedestals 44 and 46, to the upper ends of which a bottom plate 48 issecured by means of bolts 50. To the outer ends of the bottom plate 48 aplurality of end plates 52 and 54 are fixedby means of screws 56.Joining the two front upper corners of the end plates 52 and 54 is anangle iron 58 that is fastened to the end plates by means of bolts 60.An angle iron 59 of like construct-ion I is similarly secured totheupper rear corners of said end plates. A. front plate 61, preferablyof asbestos, is secured to the front ends of the respective end plates52 and 54 by means of bolts 62, to the front angle iron 58 by means ofbolts 64,'and to r an upwardly extending rib 66 on the bottom plate48 bymeans of bolts 68. A back plate 70, also preferably of asbestos, issuitably positioned in a manner similar to that of the front plate 61.Thus a substantially box-like structure having an open to is providedupon the end pedestals 44 and 46.

The electrically heated support or table 20, upon whichthe diedoutpieces of coated fabric are placed, constitutes the top of the boxstructure and is removably positioned between the respective end plates52 and 54 and angle irons 58 and 59. This support ing table 20 mayconveniently be made of cast iron, or some other material ofgood heatstorage capacity, whereby, when once heated, either electrically or byother means if desired, a sufficient amount of heat is stored and heldtherein to supply heat to and maintain the died-out pieces in properheated condition or temper for a considerable period, even after thesupply of heat to the table is interrupted. The supporting table 20rests upon the heads of a plurality of set screws72 which are adjustablythreaded into llO a corresponding number of laterally eXtending lugs 74constituting parts of the end plates 52 and 54.

eat is imparted to the heating support or table 20 by means of aplurality of electric heating units 76 of suitable construction whichare held in place against the bottom surface of the supporting table bymeans of bolts 78 or other convenient devices. Thus, the heating units76 are maintained in intimate contact with the supporting table which isto be heated, and the box-like structure hereinbefore described,provides a dead air space beneath the heating units, which serves asheat insulation to prevent undue radiation of heat and t0 confine itmainly to the Supporting table itself.

The supply table or shelf 22 extends longitudinally of the machine andis supported in elevated position over the rear portion thereof upon apair of angle irons 80, which are carried at the upper ends of a pair ofbrackets 82, that are secured by bolts 84 to the respective endpedestals 44 and 46. This supply table or shelf 22 serve to supportsupply of died-out pieces of coated fabric in such position as to bereadily accessible to the operator who, as the occasion requires, placesthem in position in a row upon the heated supporting table 20 with theircoated surfaces uppermost.

Extending along the full length of the apparatus is located the front orassembling table 24. This assembling table may be of any suitableconstruction and is supported in the plane of the heated support ortable 20 upon a plurality of brackets 86 that are bolted to the bottomplate 48 and which eX- tend forwardly into proper supporting post tion.The assembling table 24 is utilized by the operator at proper eration ofthe apparatus in assembling the conditioned or heated pieces of coatedfabric upon insole blanks which have been previously suitably formed andshaped, in accordance with well-known practice which need not be hereindescribed.

While the heated supporting table 20 is intended to supply a certaindegree of heat to the row of pieces of coated fabric placed thereon, theupper coated surfaces thereof are heated to the desired temperaturemainly by means of the movable heating device 26 which is movedlengthwise of the apparatus in a plane parallel to, above, and inproximity to the heated supporting table 20, and which rapidly impartsheat to the pieces as it progressively passes over them in succession.The adhesive coating of the pieces is thus heated or conditionedprimarily by the direct application of heat from the movable heatingdevice 26, although the heated support 20 serves also to impart someheat indirectly thereto through the medium of the fabric itself. Theprincipal function of the times during the op.

heated support 20, however, is to supply sufficient heat to the died-outpieces after the movable heating device 26 has passed over them, andeven after the supply of heat has been cut off, to compensate forradiation and maintain the pieces in proper working temper or conditionuntil the operator is ready to assemble them with the insole blanks inthe manner of the prior art.

The movable heating device 26 comprises a narrow forwardly extendingmember 90 (Fig. 9) which is channel-shaped in section, being providedwith downwardly project-- ing side members 92, to the lower ends ofwhich are secured strips or ways 94 which serve to support a plate ormember 96 of insulating inaterialon the under side of which a suitableelectric heater unit 98 is mounted, the unit illustrated being made ofcoiled resistance wire, as shown particularly in Figs. 8 and 9. Theplate 96 and associated heater unit 98 may be easily withdrawn along thesupporting ways 94 and removed from the front end of the member 90 forpurposes of repair or replacement. Normally the plate 96 is held inposition by set-screws 100, and the front end of the heater unit isprotected by a covering 102 of sheet material that is secured to theforward end of the member 90 in any convenient manner. As shown in Fig.8, the respective ends of the heater unit 98 are connected by means ofbolts 104 to a pair of bars or strips 106 of conducting material whichserve also to enclose the heater unit.

For the purpose of protecting the heater unit from contact with any ofthe pieces of coated fabric during the travel of the movable heatingdevice 26 from one end of the apparatus to the other, a plurality ofguard wires 108 forming aprotecting screen are secured in positionbeneath the heater unit. This is accomplished by clamping or grippingthe respective ends of each of the guard wires 108 between pairs ofclamping strips 110 and 112 thatare secured by means of a series ofscrews 114 to the respective downwardly projecting sides 92 of themember 90. The outer edges of the clamping strips 110 are provided witha series of holes 116 to receive and position the ends of the guardwires 108.

In order to permit the movable heating device 26 to be adjustedvertically to properly space the heater unit 98 from the heated supportor table 20, the rear end of the member 90 is provided with a rearwardlyprojecting vertically extending tongue 120 that is received in a slot inan upwardly projecting bracket 122, constituting part of a movablecarriage 124, the member 90 being rigidly secured to the bracket 122 bymeans of a bolt 126. An electric switch 128 is suitably mounted upon anupwardly projecting portion 130 of the member 90, and this plishment ofswitch is so connected in the electric circuit of the heater unit 98associated with the movable heating device 26, that the supply ofelectric energy thereto may be controlled at the will of the operator.

The movable heating device 26 is arranged to be actuated in eitherdirection longitudinally ofthe apparatus, and to the accomthis end, themovable carriage 124, upon which the heating device is mounted, isactuated by means of a feed mechanism which embodies the feed-screw 28.This feed-screw is provided with threads of great pitch extendingsubstantially throughout the length thereof and is mounted for rotatablemovement in bearings 130 and 132 adjacent its respective ends.

These bearings form parts of a plurality of supporting brackets 134 and186 respectively that are fixed to the respective end plates 52 and 54of the supporting frame. In order to effect the feed movements of thecarriage 124, the feed-screw 28 is provided with an internal threadednut or block 138 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) which is received in an opening 140in the carriage 124. The threaded block 138 and the opening 140 aresubstantially rectangular in form, whereby the threaded block isprevented from partaking of the rotative movements of the feed-screw. Aslight clearance between the threaded block 138 and the sides of theopening 140 is provided to prevent binding. With this construction, anyrotative movement of the feed-screw 28 causes the threaded block 138 totravel longitudinally thereof in one direction or the other, whereby thecarriage 124 and movable heating device 26 are also moved. The movableheating device 26 is maintained in proper position throughout itsmovements through the agency of a plurality of rolls 144 and 146 thatcooperatively engage a guide rod 148 extending longitudinally above thefeed-screw 28, in conjunction with a roll 150 that engages an angle iron152 secured to the supporting brackets 134 and 136 at its respectiveends and which is additionally supported intermediate its ends by meansof brackets 154 which are fastened to the bottom plate 48 and projectrearwardly therefrom.

Inasmuch as the movable heating device 26 is to be adapted for movementin either direction longitudinally of the apparatus, it is necessary tomake provision for rotating the feed-screw 28 in opposite directions,and this is accomplished by'means of the reversing clutch drivingmechanism 30, shown particularly in Figs, 2 and 7. This mechanismcomprises a plurality of toothed clutch members 158, 160, 162, and 164,that are associated with the right hand end of Y the feed-screw 28 whichprojects beyond the hearing 132, the clutch members 158 and 164 beingpinned to the feed-screw while the clutch members 160' and 162 areloosely mounted thereon. The clutch member 160 constitutes a part of ahub portion 166 of a small grooved pulley 168, while the clutch member162 is provided on a hub portion of a relatively large pulley 170 whichis provided with a circular laterally extending flange 172 forming acircular recess 174 into which projects a peripheral flange 176 formingan integral part of the pulley 168. Sufficient clearanceis providedbetween the outer periphery of the flange 176 and the inner periphery ofthe flange 17 2 to permit the pulleys to be independently rotated. Anannular ring 178 is screwed to the lateral face of the flange 172 andprojects inwardly to provide a loose connection between the two pulleys,whereby both pulleys may be shifted as a unit longitudinally along thefeed-screw 28, as desired. This shifting of the pulleys and, therefore,of the loose clutch members 160 and 162 is effected by means of ashift-lever 180 having a plurality of rolls 182 mounted on itsbifurcated arms and which are disposed in a groove 184 in the hub member166 of the pulley 168. The shift-lever 180 is pivotally mounted upon abracket 186 that is secured to the end pedestal 54, and the forward endof the shiftlever has a pivotal connection to a longitudinally disposedrod or control handle 190 that extends beneath the forward edge of theassembling table 24 throughout its full length, being held in positionby suitably slotted brackets 192 which are secured to the respectiveends thereof. The control rod or handle 190 is therefore loosely mountedfor longitudinal movement in either direction in such position that itmay be readily grasped and operated by the operator as desired, in orderto control the operation of the reversing clutch driving mechanism 30.

g The reversing clutch driving mechanism, just described, is adapted tooccupy a neutral or intermediate position in which neither of the setsof cooperating clutch members are in engagement, and two operative ordriving positions, one in which the clutch members 158 and 160become'operative to drive thefeed-screw 28 in one direction and theother in which the clutch members 162 and 164 become operative to efiectthe driving of thefeed-screw in the opposite direction. The pulleys 168and 170, during the operation of the machine, are continuously driven bymeans of belts 196 and 198 from a double pulley 200 carried on the endof a Shaft 202 of a driving motor 204 which is suitably mounted at oneend of the machine upon the side pedestal 46. The belt 198 is crossed sothat the pulley 168 is operated in a reverse direction from the pulley170. Thus, when the clutch members 162 and 164 are in drivingengagement, the

large pulley 170 serves to rotate the feedscrew 28 slowly to cause themovable heating device 26 to be moved slowly over the heated support ortable in a direction to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, while ifthe clutch members 158 and 160 are thrown into engagement, the smallpulley 168 functions to rapidly rotate the feed-screw 28, whereupon themovable heating device is rapidly moved or fed in a direction to theright.

\Vith the reversing clutch driving mechanism just described, it will beunderstood that the operator may have full control of the movements ofthe movable heating de L vice 26, and by properly actuating the shiftlever 180, may operate the clutch mechanism in such a manner as toeffect feed movements of the heating device in either direction or mayarrest its movement at will. However, to relieve the operator of thenecessity of constant attention, automatic means is provided forarresting the movements of the heating device 26 when it reaches itslimit of travel in either direction. This is accomplished by means of alongitudinally disposed control rod 210 which is mounted at itsrespective ends for sliding movement in suitable apertures in thebrackets 134 and 186. The right hand end of the control rod 210 has apivotal connection 212 to the shiftlever 180 and adjacent each end ofthe control rod is located an adjustable collar or limit stop 214. Thecontrol rod 210 is actuated by means of a forwardly extending lug 216(Fig. 6) having a slot 218 to receive said rod. This slotted lug 216 isprovided upon the carriage 124 and the limit stops 214 are so adjustedin position upon the rod as to be engaged by the slotted lug 216 whenthe carriage and therefore the movable heating device'26 have reachedtheir limit of travel, or, at least, that point in their travel at whichit is desired to arrest their further movement. For instance, assumingthe reversing clutch driving mechanism to occupy the position shown inFig. 2, the carriage 124 and heating device 26 are moved slowly to theleft throughout the length of the machine until the slotted lug 216engages the limit stop 214 at the left hand end of the control rod 210.Thereupon, the control rod is actuated to the left to throw the clutchmechanism into neutral or inoperative position, thereby disconnectingthe feed-screw 28 from the source of power and bringing the movableheating device 26 to rest. Obviously a similar operation takes place atthe opposite limit of travel of the movable heating device 26. Havingthus automatically arrested the feed movement of the heating device 26,said device remains at rest at whatever end of the apparatus it happensto occupy until the operator throws the reverse clutch driving mechanismfrom its neutral position into such position as to reverse the directionof feed of the heating device. This operation is readily effected by theoperator in Whatever position he happens to be standing along the frontof the assembling table 24, inasmuch as the operating rod or handle 190,to which the shift lever 180 is attached, is readily accessible from anyposition.

lVhile it is preferred to arrest the movement of the heating device 26at the respective ends of the apparatus in the manner just described, itis possible, if found for any reason desirable, to so adjust thepositions of the limit stops 214, that instead of shifting the reverseclutch driving mechanism to its neutral position, the shifting movementmay be rendered suiiiciently great as to throw the clutch mechanism pastits neutral point and into reverse driving rela tion. Thus, a reversalof the direction of feed of the movable heating device may beautomatically accomplished.

Having set forth the mechanical construction and operation of thepreferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, the electrical systemand its operation will be described. For this purpose reference will bemade largely to Fig. 10, which shows diagrammatically the electricalsystem, it being considered unnecessary to a comprehensive understandingof the invention to describe the detailed wiring and the structure andoperation of the well-known auxiliary electrical devices employed.

The electrical system comprises, in general, a main switch 220, theelectro-magnetic circuit interrupter 32, the terminal board 34, thestationary heater units 76, the movable heater unit 98, a switch 128 inthe movable heater circuit, automatic control switches 40 and 42, andthe necessary main circuit and control circuit connections.

The main switch 220 and the circuit in terrupter 32 are convenientlymounted on the end pedestal 44 and may be of any suitable construction.The circuit interrupter 32 is of the double-pole type, being providedwith two Sets of stationary contact members 222 and cooperating movablecontact members 224. The movable contact members 224 of the circuitinterrupter are normally biased to their open or inoperative positionsby means of a spring 226 and are actuated into their closed positions inengagement with the stationary contact members 222 by means of anelectrically energized closing coil 225, which coil alsoserves to holdthe circuit interrupter closed in operative position so long as theenergization of the coil is continued.

The terminal board 34 may also be of any suitable construction and ispreferably mounted beneath the bottom plate 48 and insulated therefrom.Briefly, the terminal board 34 is provided with two main ter- 12 notessential, is rendered desirable in order minals 228, one of which is"connected through plug-and socket switches 230- (Figs. 1 and 10) to oneend of the stationary heater units 7 6, while the other terminal isconnected through plug-and-socket switches 232 to the other ends of saidheater units. The heater units 76 are thus connected in parallel ormultiple relation. The use of the plug-and-socket switches 230 and 232,while to permit of the ready disconnection of the heating units 7 6 whenthe removable supporting table 20, to which they are attached, is forany reason removed. The main terminals 228 of the terminal board 34 arealso connected to one end of the double-conductor flexible cable 236,the other end of which is connected to the respective ends of the movablheater unit 98. This unit is thus connected in multiple with thestationary heater units 76. The switch 128, which is mounted upon themovable heating device, is connected in the circuit of the heater unit98 in order to permit the operator to control, at will, the supply ofenergy thereto.

The control switches and 42 are utilized in conjunction to automaticallycontrol the supply of energy to the heating units 76 and 98 and are soconstructed and arranged in the circuit of the closing and holding coil225 of the circuit interrupter 32 as to energize the coil 225 to causethe interrupter to the supporting table 20. lVhen the move-- ment of theheating device 26 is arrested at the left hand end of the apparatus, the

control switches 40 and 42 serve to deenergize the closing and holding0011 225 to permit the spring 226 to open the circuit mterrupter 32 tocause the interruption of the supply of energy. to the heater units and,moreover, to maintain this interruption during the return movement ofthe movable heating device 26 to its initial position,

whereupon the closing and holding coil 225' is again energized throughthe switches 40 and 42 and the circuit interrupter 32 is closed toreestablish the supply of energy to the heater units.

The control switch 40 is conveniently mounted upon the bracket 134 atthe left hand end of the apparatus and comprises a stationary contactterminal 240 which is normally engaged by the free end of a movablespring member 242. The control switch 42 is located on the bracket 136at the other end of the apparatus and similarly comprises a stationarycontact terminal 246 and a movable spring member 248. member 248,however, is so arranged as normally to be held out of engagement withits contact. t-erminal'246. The operation of these control switches 40and 42 is automatically effected at the respective limits of travel ofthe movable heating device 26 by means of a switch actuating plate 250'(Fig.

5) of insulating material which is secured The spring by means of screws252 to the lower surface of the movable carriage 124. The forward sideof the actuating plate 250 is slotted to avoid the mounting of the roll150 and is provided with projecting lugs 254 having oppositely inclinedsurfaces that are respectively adapted to engage the spring members 242and'248 of the switches 40 and 42. This engagement, of course, iseffected only when the movable carriage 124 substantially reaches itsrespective limits of travel in either direction. The spring member 248is actuated into contacting engagement with its stationary terminal 246when the movable heating device 26 is in its initial starting position,and the spring member 242 is actuated to disengage its contact terminal240 when the heating device reaches its extreme left hand limit oftravel.

The electric circuit connections and operation will be best understoodfrom the following description of the general operation of the machine.Assuming the connec tions to be as illustrated in Fig. 10, the drivingmotor 204 to be in operation and the movable heating device 26 to occupyits starting position as shown in Figs 1 and 2, in which position thenormally ope-n control switch 42 is-held closed by the engagement of oneof the lugs 254 of the switch actuating plate 250, the operation is asfollows. The main switch 220 and the auxiliary switch 128 are firstclosed by the operator. Thereupon, a control circuit is: establishedfrom one side A of the source of energy which includes one pole 258 ofthe main switch 220, conductor 260, conductor 262, closing coil 225,conductor 264, contact mem bers of the control switch 40', conductor266, contact members of the control switch 42, conductor 268, conductor270, and thence through the other pole 272 of the main switch 220 to theother side B of the source of energy. The closing and holding coil 225of the circuit interrupter 32 is thus energized and "serves in a'well-known manner to electro-magnetically actuate and close the circuitinterrupter 32. Energy is then supplied to the heater units 7 6 and 98through a circuit which includes the con-' ductor 260, cooperatingcontact members 222 and 224 of one pole of the circuit interrupter, andconductor 274 to one terminal 2 8 of the terminal board 84 where thecircuitdivides to connect the two stationary heater units 76 through theplug-and-socket switches 230 and 232 in multiple and to c011- nect themovable heater unit 98 through the flexible cord 236 and switch 128 inmultiple to the units 7 6, the branch circuits uniting at the otherterminal 228 of the terminal board 341 and the circuit continuingthrough the conductor 276, cooperating contact members 222 and 224 ofthe other pole of the interrupter 32, and thence to conductor 270. Thus,heat is supplied to the various heater units of the apparatus, the heatdelivered by the stationary heater units '7 6 serving to raise thetemperature of the supporting table 20, which, having a considerableheat storage capacity, as already explained, stores or accumulates heattherein for future use, as will be hereinafter set forth. The movableheating device 26, as will be noted in Figs. 1 and 2, is at this timelocated in a position beyond the support-ing table 20 and therefore isprevented from imparting heat to the coated fabric which already mayhave been placed upon the table by the operator.

In starting the apparatus into operation initially, the operatorpreferably allows heat to be stored or accumulated in the supportingplate 20 for a period before starting the feed movement of the movableheating device 26. During this period, heat is gradually impartedthrough the table 20 to the fabric side of the died-out pieces lyingthereon. l/Vhen sufficient heat has been stored in the table 20, theoperator, by means of the shift rod or handle 190, throws the reversingclutch driving mechanism into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2,thereupon connecting the feed-screw 28 to the driving motor 204, afterwhich the movable heating device 26 is progressively fed at a slow ratelengthwise of the machine and in proximity to the coated upper surfacesof the died-out pieces lying on the table 20. The coating of each pieceis heated to the desired temperature as the heating device moves overit, the heated supporting table 20 also serving, to.,,a limitedeXt-ent,in conjunction therewith to raise the temperature to the desiredamount. As soon as the movable carriage 124 leaves its initial startingposition, the switch actuator 250 disengages the spring member 248 ofthe control switch L2, thereby permitting it to disengage its stationarycontact member 246, thus opening the control circuit between theconductors 266 and 268. However, the closing and holding coil 225 isstill energized through the conductor 280, one end of which is connectedto one of the contact members of the control switch and the other end isconnects to the conductor 276, which is now energized by reason of theprevious closure of the circuit interrupter 32. The circuit interrupter32 therefore, is held closed throughout the travel of the movableheating device 26 toward the left hand end of the apparatus As soon asthe heating device passes over one of the died-out pieces of coatedfabric, during which the temperature of the coating is raised to theproper amount, the operator may remove this piece from the supportingtable 20 and assemble it with a suitable insole blank upon theassembling table 24; in the usual mamier. he operator may thus assemblethe died-out pieces as fast as they are heated, and during the continuedmovement of the heating device, may also replace the pieces removed withnew pieces taken from the supply table.

This operation continues until the movable heating device 26 has reachedits left hand limit of travel, at which time, the lug 216 engages thecollar 21% at the left hand end of the control rod 210 and shifts thereversing clutch driving mechanism into neutral position to arrestfurther feeding movements of the movable heating device 26. Concurrentlytherewith, the actuating plate 250 engages the spring contact member 2&2of the control switch 40, thereby disengaging this member from itsstationary contact terminal 240 and interrupting the energizing circuitof the closing and holding coil 225 of the circuit interrupter 32. Thespring 226 then functions to open the circuit interrupter to interruptthe supply of energy to the heater units 76 and 98. However, by reasonof the heat storage capacity of the supporting table 20, sufficient heathas accumulated therein to maintain the pieces of coated fabric inproper working condition or temper after the supply of heating energyhas been discontinued. operator may then continue to assemble the heateddied-out pieces, or he may, by means of the control rod or handle 190,shift the reversing clutch driving mechanism to its opposite drivingposition to reverse the direction of movement of the heating device 26and cause it to be rapidly returned to its initial position. During thisreturn movement the assembly of pieces of coated fabric with the insoleblanks may be continued, or the operator may utilize a part or the wholeof the return period for placing new coated pieces upon the supportingtable 20.

As soon as the movable heating device 26 is restored to its initialposition, the slotted lug 216 engages the collar 214 on the right handend of the control rod 210, thereby automatically shifting the reversingclutch driving mechanism to its neutral position and arresting furtherfeeding movements of the heating device 26. At this time the actuatingplate 250 also engages the spring The cuit interrupter is again closedto deliver 7 energy to the heating units 76 and 98 in the manner alreadydescribed. The movable heating dev1ce'26, however, remains 111 itsinitial starting position until such time as the operator again throwsthe reversing clutch driving mechanism to" cause said device to be againmoved across the supporting table to heat the pieces of coated fabricdisposed thereon. This cycle of operations iscontinued as long as foundnecessary or desirable.

From a foregoing description, it will be understood that although theapparatus is semi-automatic in its operation, the operator may havesubstantially full control thereof and may govern the operation of themachine in a large measure in accordance with his skill and judgment andwith any peculiarities or difficulties in operation that may beencountered. Moreover, the supply of energy to the apparatus isintermittent, and therefore the consumption of energy is relatively low.Furthermore, considerable latitude in the assembling operation ispermitted the operator by reason of the fact that when the pieces ofcoated fabric are once brought to the desired temperature and temper,they are maintained in such condition by the supporting table 20 of heatstorage capacity until the operator is ready to utilize them in theassembling operations. The operator is thus able to adapt his worlr tothe exigencies of operating conditions without sacrifice in the qualityof the prod not that might otherwise result if the coated "pieces werenot maintained in the proper working temper untll ready for assembly.-

Injury to the died-out pieces of coated fabric due to a temporaryabsence of the operator is prevented by reason of the fact that thesupply of energy to the heating units is automatically interrupted atthe end of travel of the movable heating device 26 toward the left ofthe apparatus, and, moreover, inasmuch as the starting position of said.device, at which energy is supplied thereto, is beyond the supportingtable 20, where it is impossible to impart heat to the coated piecesfrom said device.

Although the invention has been shown anddescribed as embodying more orless specific details of construction, arrangement and location ofparts, and mode of operation, it will be understood that manymodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Therefore, only such limitations should beimposed. as are indicated in the appended claims.

Having set forth the construction and operation of the preferredembodiment of the invention, that which is claimed as new is:

1. Apparatus for. conditioning coated fabric having, in combination, aflat, stationary table upon which the fabric to be heated is placed, anda movable heating device disposed above and in proximity to saidtablefor heatingthe fabric to a predetermined temperature as it moves pastit.

2. Apparatus for conditioning coated fab-.-

{ric having, in combination, a flat, stationary horlzontal table for thefabric. to be heated, and a horizontally movable heating devlce disposedabove and in proximity thereto and movable over said table to impartheat directly to the coating.

3. Apparatus for conditioning coated fab-' ric having, in combination, astationary elongated table for the fabric to be heated, a relativelynarrow heating device disposed above and in proximity thereto, and powermeans for moving said heating device in opposite directions lengthwiseof said support and over said fabric.

A. A machine for conditioning. coated fabric having, in combination, aflat, stationary table upon which the fabric'is laid with the coatedsurface thereof uppermost, a heating device disposed above and inproximity to the fabric upon said table, and means for moving saidheating device slowly over the fabric in a plane parallel to said tableto impart heat directly to the coated surface of the fabric.

5. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a heated support formaterial to be heated, and a heating device disposed in proximitythereto and movable relatively thereto parallel to said support, forapplying heat directly to both sides of the material.

l 6. Heating apparatus having, in combina tion, a support for materialto be heated, means disposed in proximity to said support and movablethereover for heating the material thereon, means for discontinuing thesupply of heat thereto automatically, and means for heating the supportto maintain the material in heated condition after said first heatingmeans has become ineffective.

7. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for material tobe heated, movableheating means disposed in proximity to said supportand out of contact with said material but adapted to travel over saidsupport and heat the material as it passes, and means for heating saidsupport to maintain the materialin heated condition after the movableheating means passes over'it.

8. Heating apparatus having,.in combination, a support'for material tobe heated, a heating device disposed in proximity to said support andmovable thereover, means for supplying heat-to said support and saiddevice and means for discontinuing the supply of heat theretoautomatically at a predetermined point in said movement, said supporthaving suflicient heat storage capacity to maintain the material in fullheated condition for a period after the supply of heat has beendiscontinued.

- 9. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for material tobe heated, a heating device disposed in proximity to said support andadapted to impart the main body of heat to said material, means forsupplying heat to said support and said heating device and automaticmeans for discontinuing the supply of heat thereto, said support beingadapted to assist in heating the material and having suflicient heatstorage capacity to maintain the material in full heated condition for aperiod after the supply of heat has been discontinued.

10. Heating apparatus "having, in combination, a support for material tobe heated, a movable heating device disposed in proximity thereto andadapted to travel over said support and heat the material as it passes,and means for supplying heat to said support and said heating device.said heated support serving to maintain the material in full heatedcondition after the movable heating device passes and having suflicientheat storage capacity to maintain the full heated conition of thematerial for a period after the supply of heat has been discontinued.

11. Heating apparatus having, in combination, an electrically heatedsupport of heat storage capacity upon which the material to be heated isplaced, a movable electric heating device disposed in proximity to saidsupport for heating the material to the desired temperature as it movespast it, and means for interrupting the supply of electric energy tosaid support and said heat ing device, leaving the support of heatstorage capacity to maintain the heated ma terial in heated conditionafter the supply of electric energy is interrupted.

12. Heating apparatus having, in combination, an electrically heatedsupport of heat storage capacity upon which the material to be heated isplaced, a movable electric heating device disposed in proximity to saidsupport, means for moving said heating device lengthwise of said supportto heat the material as it moves past it, and means for interrupting thesupply of electrical energy at a predetermined point in the travel ofsaid movable heating device, leaving the support of heat storagecapacity to maintain the material in heated condition after the supplyof electrical energy is interrupted.

13. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a stationary support forthe material to be heated, a movable'heating device disposed inproximity to said support, means for moving said heating device in onedirection along the support and material to heat the material, andautomatic means for arresting the movement of said heating device at apredetermined point in its movements.

let. Heating apparatus having, in combination, an elongated support forthe material to be heated, a'relatively narrow heating device disposedin proximity thereto, power means including a rotary member for movingsaid heating device in opposite directions lengthwise of said elongatedsupport, and means for reversing the direction of movement of saidmember.

15. Heating apparatus havin in combination, an elongated support or thematerial to be heated, an electrical heating device disposed inproximity thereto, power means including a reversing clutch drivingmechanism for moving said heating device lengthwise of the support inopposite directions, and means for actuating said mechanism to cause themovement of said heating device to be reversed in direction.

16. Heating apparatus having, in combination, an elongated support forthe material to be heated, a relatively narrow heating device disposedin proximity thereto, power means for moving said heating device slowlyalong said elongated support in one direction and automaticallyarresting its movement, and means for reversing the movement thereof andmoving said heating device rapidly in the opposite direction.

17. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for the materialto be heated, a movable heating device disposed in proximity to saidsupport, means for moving said heating device in one direction along thesupport to heat the material disposed thereon, and automatic means forarresting the movement of said heating device at a predetermined pointin its movement and for interrupting the supply of heat to said heatingdevice.

18. Heating apparatus having, in combination, be heated. a movableheating device disposed in proximity to said support, means for movingsaid heating device in one direction along the support to heat thematerial thereon, automatic means for arresting the movement of saidheating device at a predetermined point in its movement and forinterrupting th supply of heat to said heating device, and means formoving said heating device in the opposite direction while maintainingthe interruption of the supply of heat thereto.

19. Heating apparatus having, in coma support for the material to vbination, a support for the material to be heated, a. movable heatingdevice disposed in proximity to said support, means for movingv saidheating device in one direction along the support to heat the materialthereon, automatic means for arresting the movement of said heatingdevice at a predetermined point in its movement and for interrupting thesupplv of heat to said heating device, means for moving said heatingdevicev in the opposite direction While maintaining the interruption ofthe supply of heat thereto, and means for arresting themoveme-n-t ofsaid heating device in said opposite direction and restoring the supplyof heatthereto. 20. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a "supportfor the material to be heated, a movable heating device disposed inproximity tosaid support, means for moving said heating device in eitherdirection. along said support and past the ma.- terial thereon, andmeans for automatically arresting the movements of said heating deviceWhen it reaches a predetermined point in either direction.

-21. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for thematerial to be heated, a movable heating device disposed in proximity tosaid support, means for moving said heating device in either directionalong said support and past the material thereon, means forautomatically arresting the movements or" said heating device when itreaches a predetermined point in either direction, and controllablemeans for rendering said moving means operative to move said heatingmeans in a direction opposite to that traversed before being arrested. 7

2-2. Heating apparatus having, in corn bination, a horizontal supportfor the material to be heated, a movable heating dc vice disposed in aplane above and in proximity to said support and normally positionedbeyond one end of said support, means for heating said, device While itoccupies this position, means formoving said heating device fromsaidposition along said support to heat the material thereon it movesover said material.

23. Heating apparatus having, in "comhination, a support for material tobe heated, a heating device disposed in proximity to said support andconstructed and arranged for movement over said material but out ofcontact therewith, and electrical means for supplying heat to saidsupport and said,

heating device.

241. Heating apparatus having, in combination, relatively movableelectric heating devices severally disposedon the respective sides ofthe material to be heated, and

means for moving one of said heating devices in a plane parallel: to theother heating device. 7 V i 25. Apparatus for conditioning coated fabrichaving, in combination, a fiat work table for fabric to be heated, anelectrically heating device disposed above and in proximity to saidtable, and means for effecting relative movements of said heating deviceand the fabric on said table in a plane parallel to said: table.

26. Heating apparatus having, in combination, an elongated electricallyheated support tor material to be'heated, a relatively narrowelectrically heated device disposed above and in proximity to saidsupport and movable in a plane parallel to said support for1 heating theupper surfaceof the materla i V 27. Heating apparatus having, in combination, an electrically heated support for materialeto be heated, and anelectrically heated device disposed above and in proximity to saidsupport and ,movable in a plane parallel to said support to heat thematerial on said support as it moves over it.

'28. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for material tobe heated, an electric heater secured to' the underside thereof forapplying heat thereto, a movable carriage, and an exposed electricalheater mounted thereon in proximity to said support. 7

29. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for material tobe heated, a movable device disposed in proximity. to said support,means for electrically heating said device, and means for arresting themovement of said movable electrically heated device and for interruptingthe supply of electrical energy to said heatin means. ,a 30. Heatingapparatus having, in combination, a support for the material to beheated, a movable device disposed in proximity to said support, meansfor electrically heating said device, means for causing saidelectrically heated movable device to traverse back and forthlongitudinally of said support, and means for interrupting the supplyofelectrical energy to said heating device at the end of its travel inone direction. 7

31. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for the materialto be heated, a movable device disposed in proximity to said support,means for electrically heating said device, means for moving saidelectrically heated device slowly in one direction along said support,means for reversing the direction of movement, thereof and returningsaid movable device rapidly in the opposite direction, and means forinterrupting the supply of energy to said heating means during thereturn movement of said movable device.

32. Heating apparatus having, in combi-.

nation, a support for the, material to be heated, means for electricallyheating said support, a movable device disposed in proximity to saidsupport, means for electrically heating said device, -means for movingsaid electrically heated device longitudinally of said support, andmeans for discontinuing the movement of said movable device andinterrupting the supply of energy to both of said heating means at apredetermined point in the movement thereof.

33. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for material tobe heated, electric heating means therefor, a device disposed inproximity to said support and movable back and forth longitudinally ofsaid support, electric heatin means for said movable device, and meansfor intermittently supplying electrical energy to both of said heatingmeans.

34. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a sup ort for material tobe heated, a movabe heating device disposed above and in proximity tosaid support, power means including a feed-screw for moving said heatingdevice longitudinally of said support, and control means for governingthe direction of rotation of said feed-screw and therefore the directionof movement of said heating device.

35. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for the materialto be heated, a movable electrical heating device disposed above and inproximity to said support, power means including a feed screw for movingsaid heating device longitudinally of said support, and a manuallyoperated reversing clutch driving mechanism for causing said heatingdevice to be moved in either direction by said feedscrew moving means.

36. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a support for the materialto be heated, a movable heating device disposed in proximity to saidsupport, means including a feed-screw for moving said heating devicelongitudinally of said support, a reversing clutch driving mechanismadapted to be manually thrown into operation to cause said feed-screwmoving means to move said heating device in either direction, andautomatic means for disengaging said driving mechanism at apredetermined point in the movement of said heating device in eitherdirection.

37. Heating apparatus having, in combination, a horizontal support forthe material to be heated, a movable heating device disposed above andin proximity thereto, means for moving said heating device along saidsupport and over the material disposed thereon, a horizontal worktabledisposed in front of said support upon Which the material is manipulatedby the operator after being heated, and manually o erable means disposedat the front of sai work-tabl within easy reach of the operatorthroughout its length for controlling the actuation of said moving meansfor said heating device.

38. An electric heating apparatus having, in combination, a support formaterial to be heated, a movable electric heating device disposed inproximity to said support and adapted to be moved longitudinallythereof, a circuit interrupter in the supply circuit of said heatingdevice, electro-magnetic means for closing said circuit interrupter, andautomatic means dependent upon the position of said movable heatingdevice along said support for controlling the operation of saidelectromagnetic closing means.

39. An electric heating apparatus having, in combination, a support formaterial to be heated, a movable electric heating device disposed inproximity to said support and adapted to be moved in either directionthereof, an electromagnetically operated circuit interrupter in thesupply circuit of said heating device, and automatic means governed bysaid movable heating device at the respective limits of its movement forcontrolling the operation of said circuit interrupter.

40. An electric heating apparatus having, in combination, a support formaterial to be heated, a movable electric heating device disposed inproximity to said support and. adapted to be moved in either directionthereof, an electromagnetically operated circuit interrupter in thesupply circuit of said heating device, and control connections anddevices in the operating circuit of said electroma netically operatedcircuit interrupter for efl ectin the closure of said circuit interrupter W en said movable heating device reaches its limit of travelin one direction and for permitting the opening of said circuitinterrupter when said movable heating device reaches its limit of travelin the opposite direction.

41. An electric heating apparatus having, in combination, a support formaterial to be heated, a movable electric heating device disposed inproximity thereto and adapted to be moved back and forth longitudinallyof said support, a circuit interrupter in the electric supply circuit ofsaid heating device, and automatic electrical means including aplurality of control switches respectively located at the oppositelimits of travel of said movable heating device and adapted to beoperated by engagement therewith for governing the operation of saidcircuit interrupter.

ALBERT E. JOHNSON.

